THE RED CROSS OF CENTRAL TEXAS SHOWS ITS PRIDE

Left to Right: Barry Boyce, Sarah Clark, Jose Dominguez, Laura Morrison, Marty McKellips, Debbie Immel

Last weekend marked the first time our Red Cross chapter participated in the annual Austin Pride Parade!  We weren't sure how it was all going to work out and getting everything organized in the weeks leading up to the parade was trying at times, but it ended up being so incredibly fun!  Walking through the staging area before the parade began and seeing all of the organizations that came out to support the LGBT community made me so proud to be an Austinite.

And then a funny thing happened.  As the Red Cross contingent marched down to the Warehouse district with the ERV following close behind (sometimes a little too close!), I started to hear spectators cheering for the Red Cross!  Cheering and waving their arms and giving high fives as we passed by!  Cheering because we were part of this event, cheering because of the great work that we do and cheering because we were doing our part to support all segments of this community.  That night, I was so proud to be a part of the American Red Cross.

After the parade was over, we picked up one of the most nicely dressed hitchhikers that I've ever seen.  It turned out to be City Councilwoman Laura Morrison who was also one of the Grand Marshals of the Pride Parade!  She was kind enough to take a picture with us and even let Jose wear her sash.

We are definitely planning on participating again next year and hope to have even more staff and volunteers come out and march with us.  I, for one, will not miss it!

~Sarah Clark, Executive Assistant